Arrow Root Plant : Complete Guide And Care Tips

Arrow Root Plant: Complete Guide and Care Tips

Are you looking for a nutritious and easy-to-grow plant for your garden? Look no further than the arrow root plant! This tropical perennial is not only a delicious addition to any meal, but it also has numerous health benefits.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about growing and caring for arrow root plants.

What is Arrow Root?

Arrow root (Maranta arundinacea) is a tropical perennial that belongs to the Marantaceae family.

It is native to South America but has been widely cultivated in many other parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

The arrow root plant’s starchy rhizomes are often used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking.

It is also rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins B6 and C, potassium, iron, calcium,and zinc.

How to Grow Arrow Root Plants

Growing arrow roots plants can be done indoors or outdoors depending on your climate zones.

Here are some tips on how to grow arrow root plants:

• Sunlight: Arrow roots require partial shade or filtered sunlight during hot afternoons when grown outside.
• Soil: The soil should be light with good drainage capabilities so that it does not get waterlogged easily; pH level should range between 5-7.5 which helps promote growth.
• Fertilizer: Use nitrogen-rich fertilizers like poultry manure or compost tea once every three months.

  This boosts foliage growth alongside tuber production since they fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms readily absorbed by plants.

• Watering: Water arrow roots plants regularly to keep the soil moist (not waterlogged) but not wet.

  During dry weather, increase frequency and avoid overwatering.

• Planting: Plant rhizomes of arrow roots a few inches below the soil surface at least 8-10 inches apart in well-drained soils with partial shade.

Caring for Arrow Root Plants

To ensure your arrow root plants thrive, you need to take good care of them.

Here are some tips for caring for arrow root plants:

• Mulching: Apply mulch regularly around your plant to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth that competes with the plant’s nutrients.

  Use organic material like straw or shredded leaves.

• Pests and Diseases: Watch out for common pests like aphids, spider mites,and whiteflies; apply organic insecticides if necessary.

  Ensure proper drainage since soggy soils can cause root rotting issues which become fatal if left unchecked.

• Trellising and Staking: Arrow roots grow tall and require support from trellises or stakes as they mature due to their weighty foliage.

  This helps prevent bending or breaking of stems or splitting tubers during harvesting season.

Cooking with Arrow Root Plants: Recipes Ideas

The starchy tubers of the arrow root plant are rich in dietary fiber making it an excellent alternative thickener used instead of cornstarch flour in various recipes without compromising taste, all while being gluten-free! Here are some recipe ideas you should try out using Arrow Roots;

• Puddings/Gravies/Soups/Sauces: Arrow root starch can be used to thicken gravies, pudding,soups, and sauces.

  Replace cornstarch with arrowroot in a 1:2 ratio.

• Baked Goods: Arrow root starch can be used as a gluten-free substitute for wheat flour in baking recipes like cookies and cakes.

  Mix 1 cup of arrowroot starch with 1/2 cup of coconut flour for best results.

• Smoothies/Juices/Tea: You can make refreshing drinks using arrow roots by grating them into juices or smoothies or boiling the rhizomes into tea infused with ginger or lemon to give it an extra kick!

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, growing and caring for arrow root plants is not only easy but also very rewarding! By following these simple tips outlined above, you’ll be able to grow and harvest your own tubers that are loaded with nutrients and health benefits.

Don’t forget to try out different cooking ideas as well!